Thursday, October 24, 2013

University of South Alabama College of Medicine second-year medical student Katie Richards and fourth-year medical student Ben Cason visit with students Oct. 17, 2013, at the Alabama School of Math and Science after they spoke to them about what it is like to be in medical school.

Two medical students at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine visited the Alabama School of Math and Science (ASMS) last week to talk to students about their educational careers.

Ben Cason, a fourth-year medical student and senior class president at USA, and Katie Richards, a second-year medical student at USA, spoke to ASMS students who attended the seminar.

The University of South Alabama College of Medicine Pediatric Residents pose for a portrait with their mentors before their presentations during Research Day in the Atlantis Room at USA Children's & Women's Hospital Oct. 18, 2013.

Dr. Melody Petty gives her presentation during the University of South Alabama College of Medicine Pediatric Residents Research Day in the Atlantis Room at USA Children's & Women's Hospital Oct. 18, 2013.

The University of South Alabama Department of Pediatrics hosted its 11th annual Residents Day on Oct. 18th, 2013. At the event, 11 senior residents in the pediatrics residency program presented their scholarly work to fellow residents, faculty and students.

Dr. Rosina Connelly, associate director of the pediatrics and residency program and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of South Alabama, said USA's pediatric program requires scholarly activity in one of three options: research, quality improvement or community advocacy projects.

Residents choose a topic and faculty advisor and then work on their scholarly activity for the first two years of their training.

“It is a great opportunity to foster scholarly work and collaboration between residents and faculty within the department,” Dr. Connelly said. “Participation in scholarly activities furthers the medical career for residents who are pursuing fellowship training by helping them become familiar with scientific methodology and research procedures.”

Dr. Connelly said many of the projects presented will also be submitted to the Southern Regional Meeting in New Orleans.

In addition, the pediatrics department bestows the Charles Hoff Award for excellence in scholarly activity to the resident and his/her faculty advisor with the best project, as chosen by evaluations from faculty members in the department. The recipient of this award is announced at the end of the academic year in June.

This week, the University of South Alabama Health System hosted a reception to recognize
the physicians who joined the medical school faculty and the USA
Physicians Group practice during the past year.

The reception was held on Oct. 22, 2013, at the new USA Children's & Women's Hospital Dining Room.

The next Distinguished Scientist Seminar at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine will feature Dr. Eric R. Lafontaine, associate professor of infectious diseases at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.

The lecture will take place Oct. 31, 2013, at 4 p.m. in the first floor auditorium of the Medical Sciences Building on USA’s main campus.

Dr. Lafontaine received his bachelor’s degree in medical biology from Universite de Quebec a Trois Rivieres and his Ph.D. in microbiology and infectious diseases from the University of Calgary.

The lecture series is comprised of distinguished scientists from other academic institutions who are invited by the University of South Alabama College of Medicine basic science departments to present a seminar showcasing their latest research findings. Faculty, staff and students are strongly encouraged to attend.

Last week, Dr. Sudhakar Madanagopal, associate professor of orthopaedics at the USA College of Medicine and an orthopaedic surgeon with USA Physicians Group, presented the October Med School Café lecture.

The lecture, "Total Hip Replacement," had a total of 38 attendees.

At the lecture, Dr. Madanagopal discussed total hip replacement, which involves surgically removing a diseased hip joint and replacing it with an artificial joint. He outlined the procedure, as well as included information on outcomes and latest surgical techniques.

The next Med School Cafe lecture will be held on Nov. 6, 2013, and will feature Dr. Rosina Connelly, assistant professor of pediatrics at USA and a pediatrician with USA Physicians Group. Dr. Connelly's lecture will include tips on how to better communicate with health care providers and how to get the most out of an office visit.